Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation – Programme 3: Productive Businesses and Regions Equality Impact Assessment (Record and Results)

Stage 4: Decision making and monitoring

Identifying and establishing any required mitigating action

Have positive or negative impacts been identified for any of the equality groups?

Project 8

Positive – it was found that improvements to Scotland's infrastructure could have positive impacts for many, including those with the protected characteristics of age and disability, through improving accessibility to both digital and transport connectivity.

Project 9

Positive – it was found that improvements to productivity and alterations in how work is carried out in Scotland would benefit various groups by improving accessibility and general equality for many.

Project 10

Positive – it was found that realising Scotland's regional and community assets would offer benefits to various groups by improving general equality, including to those protected characteristics currently disadvantaged by location.

NSET Programme 3

Following consideration of each project within Programme 3 individually, it has been deemed that Programme 3 as a whole will support the advancement of many protected characteristics through its overall aim of regional and productivity growth across Scotland. Going forward, a more holistic approach will be taken to ensure that as Programme 3 is further developed its actions continue this positive trend.

Is the policy directly or indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010?^[8]

All projects within Programme 3 of the NSET have been deemed non-discriminatory, with impacts being seen as largely neutral or positive.

If the policy is indirectly discriminatory, how is it justified under the relevant legislation?

N/A

If not justified, what mitigating action will be undertaken?

N/A

Describing how Equality Impact analysis has shaped the policy making process

Monitoring and Review

This EQIA has made clear that the actions currently outlined within Programme 3 of the NSET will be unlikely to negatively impact upon people with protected characteristics. Where impact has been identified, for example in areas such as connectivity (both transport and digital), it is likely to be positive through improving accessibility for many.

Many of the initiatives currently being undertaken in Programme 3 of the NSET remain in the design phase, and as such further EQIAs will be carried out on a more focused level to ensure that the Programme as a whole offers the greatest positive impact for individuals with protected characteristics.

As the Programme expands over the NSET's lifecycle, this EQIA will require further consideration and efforts will be made to assure that the Programme Delivery Board overseeing its development and allows the voices of those with protected characteristics to be heard through continued stakeholder consultation.